Contact

People

Josh and Kari Thomas, along with at least 7 farmworkers and 7 market sellers (all are year-round).

Farmland

44 acres in Corralitos, about 86 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

Farm History

Josh’s father, Jerry Thomas, bought the farmland in the early 1970s. He was a true pioneer in organic farming and was one of the founding members of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). He also contributed to the startup of the local farmers markets in Santa Cruz County. Jerry Thomas retired in 2004, but the family has continued using the practices he established, like planting an incredible diversity of crops to reduce pests, crop rotation to avoid soil depletion, and adding at least 12 tons of compost per acre every year. At 10 pages, the farm’s certified product list is the longest in Santa Cruz County.

The Thomases see sustainability as extending beyond farming practices. They have strong relationships with workers and pay livable wages and keep them working year-round.

Certification

Global Culture

Soil

Sandy loam soil augmented with compost.

Water Use

Drip irrigation with occasional supplementation from sprinklers.

Weed Control

Hand weeding with hoes, occasional tractor cultivation.

Pest Management

Cinch traps for gophers and “black fox” repeating traps for ground squirrels. All of the land is deer fenced. Insect damage is minimal due to crop biodiversity.

Fun Fact

Thomas Family Farm grows more than 400 varieties of dahlias, in every color except blue, which doesn’t exist in nature.

Related Articles

Slideshow

On September 29, 2009 CUESA toured Thomas Farm, an organic farm near the Santa Cruz area.

Jerry and Jean Thomas originally leased the home ranch in 1971, and bought the land in 1976. They began selling at the first farmers’ market in the area, San Jose, in 1976, and then Santa Cruz in 1977. Jean is a painter.

Josh and Kari Thomas, with their son Montgomery. They also have an older daughter, Lucy, and their third child is expected in January 2010.

The happy pigs dine on fresh vegetables from the farm.

The farm also grows some persimmons. These weren't ripe yet.

The farm started growing flowers when they realized that they were 2-3 times more profitable than vegetables.

Thomas Farm flowers are mostly sold through their market stands, but they also supply flowers to weddings and some retail locations in Santa Cruz, and the online retailer Diamond Organics also ships some of their product to the East Coast.

The Thomases pioneered sunflowers as a cut flower. They grew them before they were popular in flower markets.

They now grow about 60 varieties of apples.

The Thomases raise two heritage Gloustershire Old Spot pigs – Jerry Thomas estimates there are less than 100 in California. These pigs won’t be sold, but typically pork in the market comes from pigs 5-6 months old, which can be 270 pounds at that point.

The Thomases use a 400 gallon tank irrigation system. When necessary, organic liquid fertilizer is fed to the crops directly through the irrigation system. Summer squash is one crop that especially needs it.

Josh explained to us that the farm's worst pest problems are mammals. They have fences that keep out the deer, and they trap gophers.

Since there is no well on site, the farm uses drinking water to water its crops – a much more expensive source that is a high incentive for the Thomases to reduce their water use as much as possible.

Soil on the farm is amended at least once a year with compost (the conservative estimate is 12 tons per acre) and fertilizer when necessary. About 4 of their 11 acres (different ones each year) are planted in cover crops in the winter– primarily hairy vetch and bell beans.

Josh and Jerry work the land with the help of four field workers. When asked what they do to retain their crew, Jerry answered, "It's diverse work; people want to stay. We [also] pay extremely well." One worker has been there since 1990, and in that time he's bought two houses!

The Thomases grow a wide variety of Dahlias (almost 100 varieties in every color except blue).

The irrigation system is 100% drip, which is a highly water-efficient way to directly feed crops water.

The Thomases grow specialty flowers – meaning, no chrysanthemums, carnations, or roses. Most flower markets are dominated by South American imports and Californian growers cannot compete with the cheap labor typically used there. A laborer in Columbia gets paid in 1 day what a California grower would pay in 1 hour.

Ornamental broom corn is grown on the farm for several reasons – the tops are sold at the farmers' market, and the bottom half of the stalks are used on dirt paths to prevent erosion in the winter and cut down on dust in the summer. Not coincidentally, it is also the same plant used to make natural brooms.

Dahlias are “cut and come again” flowers – unlike lilies and broom corn, they can be harvested again and again throughout the season, which cuts down on a lot of labor. Dahlias grow so quickly, Josh says, that if we had come one day earlier, we wouldn’t have seen any of these blooms.

The farm has four tractors, with a new one on its way. They only go through about 5 gallons of diesel every 2 weeks.

The beds at Thomas Farm are kept narrow, making them easier to reach across. This is done to prevent lower back pain during the harvest.

Thomas Farm has an impressive diversity of crops, which grow side-by-side in each 52-inch-wide bed.

Jerry Thomas started the farm in 1971. He is the father of Josh, who manages the farm, and Patrick, who sets up their booth at the Thursday market. Jerry was also a founding member of CCOF.

Thomas Farm has two sites; the first location we visited was their newer, 4-acre location. Josh Thomas (pictured leading the group) and his family began leasing the land 3 years ago, and its fertile sandy loam soil has essentially doubled the farm's production.

Farm Map

About CUESA

CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) is dedicated to cultivating a sustainable food system through the operation of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and its educational programs. Learn More »